Temperature, moisture and albedo properties of Arizona soils

The objective of this research was to correlate daily soil surface temperature changes and soil water evaporation losses to specific soil properties. Twenty test soils exhibiting a broad range of physical and chemical properties were placed in 50 x 50 x 28 cm boxes and monitored under dry and wet conditions from January to March, 1982. Soil moisture content, soil texture, soil albedo, and Munsell color were identified as the most important soil properties affecting daily changes in soil temperature and evaporation. The soils were placed into behavior groups based on these properties. Under dry conditions soil albedo, Munsell color value and sand content were the most important soil properties, whereas soil moisture was most important under wet soil conditions. Tables presenting tests for significance and simple linear regression relationship for each of the test soils plus the mean for all soils are included in the thesis. Equations in this thesis can be used to predict relationships between soil characteristics and the temperature-evaporation properties of Arizona soils.hydrology collectio